Ben's Blog

AUTUMN 2011 GAS DELIVERY HOSING!

Gas delivery hosing. This September I found possibly the oldest length of hosing on a power boat since I started surveying. The date 1977. That makes the pipe over 34 years old!!!! I can't believe that the craft has not been surveyed in all those years and no one has noticed such a basic and potentially dangerous item that has not been replaced. I cannot even start to remind folks how dangerous gas is on a vessel I have seen several terrible incidents from it. LPG is heavy, any leak in the system unless it is within the gas bottle locker with a good unrestricted drain will end up in the crafts bilge, any stray spark will be catastrophic. Need I say more!

 

SUMMER 2011 GALVANIC ISSUES.

ANODES. I can not over emphasis the dangers of not protecting craft from Galvanic corrosion by fitting suitable anodes. Depending on the type of water your craft operates in will reflect on what type of sacrificial anodes you should have fitted to your craft. Like wise with so many craft now fitted with shore power consideration of suitable isolation transformers or fitting galvanic isolators are very important to protect you from bonding your craft to others

 

 

March 2011 BATTERY INSTALLATION?

Batteries in small craft are always a difficult subject to get a good balance of installation and ventilation with good access, tidy, secure and safe. Recently on a 27foot yacht I found this terrible example of how some owners totally disregard their own and others safety with an almost non existent installation! Firstly the battery was cable tied to the rubber exhaust, in its self the owner was lucky the PVC ties had not cut through the exhaust. Secondly and more importantly the exhaust gets very warm, the battery is sealed and presents quite an explosive risk! There are quite a few other things that could be noted, have a good look! Just think! Check out your installation. Remember the basics, secure, vented and tidy with no chance of shorting or warming! That would be a good start.

 

January 2011 frozen pipes could sink your craft..

Recently many of the marinas and rivers have frozen with the extreme cold weather this winter.

I have been very aware at how many of us have relaxed our winterisation of craft since we have had milder winters in recent times. If you keep your  craft afloat I would strongly recommend all skin fitting sea cocks should be shut just incase the pipes freeze and split the pipes. The photo shows water pipe mixer tap blown apart due to the strength of the ice frozen in the pipe ....Whether your craft is afloat or ashore make sure the engine is well protected from the low temperatures and run anti freeze in the engine water coolant if possible. Drain down any water holding tanks etc. News report of craft sinking in Ireland

December 2010 Check your flares!
Over the last few months I have been very aware that with the credit crunch many owners are trying to save a few pounds on there running costs. Recently I've surveyed a number of craft whose flares were very out of date, including one set that expired in 1977!

Apart from the fact they would almost certainly not work they are extremely dangerous and likely to blow the handlers hand off!

Please, if you have out of date flares follow this link on how to dispose of them safely Thankyou.